b4l-project-template/README.md

B4L Open Hardware Project Template

Welcome to the Build4Life (B4L) Open Hardware Project Template!
This repository defines a standard structure for building open-source hardware projects with high transparency, maintainability, and manufacturability.

Use this as a base for your own project or as a collaborative standard for contributions.

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📁 Folder Structure

hardware/            # Schematics, PCB, component models, libraries
mechanical/          # Enclosures and mechanical CAD
firmware/            # Embedded firmware
software/            # PC-side software and tools
docs/                # Documentation and datasheets
tests/               # Test plans, logs, reports
ci/                  # Continuous Integration configuration
tools/               # Debug and development utilities
certs/               # Certification/compliance files
manufacturing/       # Production and assembly resources
meta/                # Project changelog and metadata

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📂 Folder Descriptions

/hardware/

• schematics/: Electrical schematics in any EDA tool
• pcb/: PCB layout files
• bom/: Bill of Materials (CSV, XLSX)
• manufacturing/: Gerbers, pick-and-place, drill data
• simulations/: SPICE or other circuit simulations
• component-models/: 3D models for electronic components
• libraries/: Custom symbols, footprints, models

/mechanical/

• enclosure/: 3D-printable housing or case designs
• cad/: Editable CAD models
• stl/: Printable STL files
• drawings/: 2D mechanical drawings for CNC or documentation

/firmware/

• src/, include/, lib/: Source code and libraries for microcontrollers
• Compatible with PlatformIO, Arduino, STM32Cube, Zephyr, etc.

/software/

• gui/: GUI apps for control or configuration
• scripts/: Helper tools or automation

/docs/

• overview.md, quickstart.md: Introductory and usage docs
• images/: Diagrams, photos, illustrations
• datasheets/: Reference datasheets for key components

/tests/

• hardware/: Hardware test procedures
• firmware/: Firmware unit or integration tests
• reports/: Test logs and validation outputs

/ci/

• GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, or other automation scripts

/tools/

• Developer tools, debug scripts, flashing utilities

/certs/

• Regulatory or environmental compliance documents (e.g., CE, FCC, RoHS)

/manufacturing/

• assembly/: Instructions and jigs for assembly
• fab/: Production-ready files for fabrication

/meta/

• changelog.md: Development history
• authors.md: Contributors list
• b4l_manifest.json: Optional machine-readable metadata

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📝 License

This template is open source. Use a license that fits your project. Recommended for hardware: CERN-OHL-S-2.0

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🤝 Contributing

To start a new project:

1. Click “Use this template” (on GitHub) or clone this repo
2. Rename and fill out your project files
3. Share and collaborate with ease

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📡 About Build4Life

Build4Life creates long-lasting, open hardware systems.

Website: https://buildfor.life